Means for protecting inflammable liquids stored in bulk from fire



Nov. 18, 1924. Y 1,516,214

v. svlAN MEANS FOR PROTECTING INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STORED IN BULK FROM FIRE Filed July 17, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet l lla||l||| l l l I I I l I l l 1 l I I I l I o lmy 1 11. d `,hf/,//,ll,lnf'll/////l*/*Mu#n Il WVUlll///I/llfffl Tm l Nov. 1s, 1924. 3,5%,214

V. svlAN MEANS FOR PROTECTING INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STORED -IN BULK FROM FIRE Filed July 17, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nav.: ls, 1924. mmm

v. sr-ivlAN MEANS FOR PROTECTING' INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STORED IN BULK FROM FIRE Filed July 17 1922 5 sheets-sheet s NGV, 18, 1924.

v. SVIAN MEANS`FOR PROTECTING INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STORED IN BULK FROM FIRE Filed Ju y 17 1922 5 sheets-sheet 4 Nov. 18 1924- v. svlAN MEANS FOR PROTECTING INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS STORED IN BULK FROM FIRE 5 sheetssheet 5 Filed July 17 1922 Fatented Nov. y18, i924.

VAH svpIAN, 0F' BAGDAD, TURKEY.

MEANS FOR PRTECTING INFLABLE LIQUIDS STORED IN BULK FRGM FIRE.

Application led July 17,

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, VAH SVIAN, Ot1 toman subject, and resident of Bagdad, Turkey, have invented new and useful Improvements in 4Means for Protecting Inflammable Liquids Stored in Bulk fromFire, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vmeans for the protection of inflammable liquids,such as petrol, stored in bulk from reand for the extinguishing of fires in such liquids, and the improvements have for their object means which, on the occurrence of a fire, automatically come into actionand place the tank' or other receptacle in which thel liquid is stored in bulk in connection with a subsidiary reservoir or otherreceptacle into which the liquid that is not in" combustion is run, the fiow of the liquid'being interrupted by other automatically acting means when the levelH of the burning liquid approaches the connection between the. two receptacles. Means for the purpose specified, according to this invention, comprises the combination of a main tank or other bulk-storage receptacle, a subsidiary lreservoir or receptacle, a connection between said-tank and reservoir, a valve in said connection and controlling mea-ns for the valve comprismg means to close the valve and means to hold the valve'open against said first mentioned means and comprising afusible member.

Means for the purpose specified further comprises, according to this invention, the combination with the parts set out in the preceding paragraph, of `a 'secondary and normally open valve in said connectlon and means to maintain said valve in its open attitude and comprising a fusible member.

In order that the invention, the nature and object of which have been set forth, may lie clearly understood and readily be put into practice, reference will now be madeto -the accompanying drawings on which an embodiment is illustrated. l

Fig. 1 bein a. part sectional view of the storage tank with protection means;

Fig. 2 a sectional view ofthe secondary valve; y

Fig. 3 a view to a larger Scale than Fig. 1 of the main controlling valve;

Fig. 4 a view looking in the direction of the arrow Z, Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 a plan view and an elevation, respectively, to a larger scale than Flg.

v1922. serial No. 575,734.

1, of the combined float andl flame concentra.-

per end thereof where they are' connected to theone end of a Wife 2 of iron, steel or other metal. Mounted on the wires 1 and freely movable up and down in relation thereto is a float'3 which rises or falls' with alteration 1n the level of the liquid in the tank A. The float 3 is such that in addition tothe function indicated by its name it, in lcases of fire, directs ames in the vicinity thereof on to the wires 1 and ensures that they shall fusepromptly and release the means they control to permit the discharge of inflammable liquid not in a state of combustion from the tank to the Asubsidiary reservoir. The fioat 3 comprises, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a plurality of hollow balls, 4, a member 6 of truncated conical shape and rods 5 connecting the balls 4 and member 6 and supporting the latter above the balls. The v J member 6 is made of asbestos and on its upper part is mounted a tube 7 which'acts as a` funnel and-causes any flames that enter the member'6 to be drawn therethrough and the heat concentrated on the wires 1 which' are therefore caused to fuse promptly. The member 6 is maintained in a horizontal attitude and the float 3 lguided in its up anddown movements by gulde rings 8 which are' connected by a framework 9 with the parts of the float. l

The wire 2 passes out of the tank A as shown in Fig. 1 and when clear thereof is led over a pulle 10 to apulley 11 from which it asses ownward exteriorly of the tank A t e lower end of the wire 2 is connected to a flexible toothed steel band 13 which is wrapped one or more times around a toothed fil;

wheel 14 mounted on 'the end of a valve i lthe subsidiary reservoir.

To reduce the effects of expansion due to changes of temperature on thevvvires 1, 2,

the pulley 11 is mounted on the upper end ,of a tube 112 which is'anchored at its other end. "lhe tube 12 acts also as a guide and protector to the -vvire 2 which passes therethrough. .The valve 15a in pipe 17 is also so constructed that the rst part of its openin7 movement does not connect the tank A. an the subsidiary reservoir: any alteration in length of Wires'l and 2 which is not counteracted by expansion of tube 12 is thus compensated ton u The bottom of the tank It is also provided with a secondary valve 18 by which the tank A. is automatically disconnected from the subsidiary reservoir When the level of and there is danger thathot or burningl liquid may pass through the pipe 17 and ignite the liquid that has passed to the subsidiary reservoir.. rlhe valve 18 comprises, as shown .in Fig. 2, a weighted valve member 19, and a pipe section 24 which is mounted on the upper end of the pipe 17 either directly or indirectly through another pipe section 29B lower p-art is formed to co-operate with and to seat on the'upper end of the pipe section 24. 'lhe valve member 19 is suspended by a fusible Wire 20 at the intersection of two bars or angle irons21 which are carried by standards or uprights 22 mounted onthe :door ofthe tank A.- 'llhe fusible Wire 20' vpasses through a hole in the bars or angle l its level approaches the bars 21 on reaching which the heat fuses the knob 20, and Wire 2O with the result that the member 19 drops and closes the upper end of the pipe section 24.

rThe upper face of the valve member 19 is preferably inclined towards the centre to form a cavity or depression 23 to contain a certain quantity of liquid, theA Haines trom which Will be concentrated on the wire 20" and ensure its fusion.

Surrounding the opening in the bottom of the tank A in which the pipe section 24 is' secured is an upstanding dange 26 which, when the level of the liquid reaches its upper edge, presents an obstruction and prevents the further flow of liquid to the pipe 17 if the valve member 19 has not by that time 'closed on its seat.

'lhe valve member 19 at its' The perimeter of the valve member 19 also has mounted on it a 'depending ilangeA 25 which when the :valve member 19 moves down on to its seat enters a groove 34 in the pipe section 24. 'l'he flange' '25 is surrounded at its upper part by a fusible metal ring which will fuse and make a joint between the valve member 19 and its seat.. v l

The valve member 19 has on Aits lower lace grooves27 in which engage plates 28 mounted interiorly oilthe pipe section 24: the plates 28 act as guides to the valve member 19 during its descent, v

lWhen the pipe section 24 is of small diameter, the mass of the valve member 19 may not be sutlicient to ensure its fall: in such case, a pipe section 29 is inserted between the pipe section 24 and the pipe 17 and this pipe section 29 contains a Weight 30 Which is suspendedvby a bar 31." from the valve member 19., To prevent any play of the Weight 30 it has an extension 32 at its lower -end which passes through a guide ring 33 y y v l 'supported from the Wall of the tube section the liquid approaches the bottom ofthe tank 99 When the means herein described is applied to tanks in which liquid will be stored that possess the property of rapid combustion or generate explosive gases,

there are substitlnedV for the pipe section 29 and contained Weight 30, the parts illustrated in Fig. 7. These comprise a bell 46 contained Within an appropriately formed member 36 Which with a tube 37 constitutes a channel 38. The mouth or the bell 46 is contained in this channel 38 and is guided in its movements by angle irons 39.

rll`he bell 46is carried by a bar 40 which passes through the valve member 19 and above the-said member is contained in a tube 41 which carries the valve member 19 and which passes through the bars 21. The tube 41 is supported by the bars 21 by means of a fusible ring or ball 44. The upper end of the tube 41 is of enlarged diameter and in the open end thereof is seated a fusible metal ball 42 to which the upper end of the rod is connected. 'lhe upper part of the tube 41 also contains a spring'43 upon which rests a plate connected with the rod 40.

When on the occurrence oli a tire, the heat. acts on the ball 42,vvhich fuses and allows the bell to drop. rlille upper .end of the tube 41 is closed bythe plate 4.5v which in its descent compresses the spring 43; the compression ot the spring- 43 exerts'a downward pressure on the valve member 19 through the tube 41 and when. the flames reach and melt the ring or ball 44 assists the valve member 19in its downward movement.

All round the mouth of the bell 46 is a fusible metal ring 47 which When melted will ensure the tightness or the joint made between the bell and the bottom of the channel 38.r

What I claim isz- 1. Mea-ns for the purpose specified, com-l coupled thereto and adapted to actuate the valve to position opening the discharge line,

and means for normally maintaining the' valve in position closing the discharge line, comprising a fusible connection anchored at one end to and extendin through the receptacle and at the opposite end coupled to the weighted valve operating connection to maintain vthe valve closed.

2. Means .for the purpose specified, comprising' a bulk storage'receptacle having a discharge therefrom, a valve controlllng said discharge, actuating means for. said valve normally tending to o en the same, and means for maintaining said valve closed, comprising a' fusible element anchored at one end to and extending through the receptacle and coupled at the opposite end to the valve actuating means, whereby upon fusion of said element extending through the receptacle the valve actuating means is released to close the valve.

3. Means for the purpose specified, comprising a bulk storage receptacle having a discharge therefrom, a valve controlhn said discharge, operating means for sai valve normally tending to open the same, means for maintaining said valve closed, comprising a fusible element anchored at ,one end to and extending in vertically disposed osition. through the receptacle, and coupled) at the opposite end to the valve operating means to maintain the same in position closing the valve, and flame concentrating means mounted and freely movable longitudinally along said fusible element.

4. Means for the purpose specified,- comprising a bulk storage receptacle having a discharge therefrom, a valve controlling said discharge, operating means for said valve normally tending to open the same, means for maintaining said Valve closed against the action of said operating means, comprising a fusible element anchored at one end to and extending in vertically disposed position through the receptacle, and coupled at the opposite free end to the valve operating means to maintain the same in position closing the valve, and flame concentrating means including a float mounted and freely movable longitudinally along the fusible element by Variations in the level of a liquid in the receptacle.

5. Means for the purpose specified, com- .prisin in combination, a bulk storage revalve controlling said discharge, operating means for said valve normally tending to open the same, means for maintaining said valve closed against the action of said operating means, comprising a fusible element anchored at one end to and extending through said receptacle, and coupled at the opposite free end to the valve operating means to maintain the same in position closing the valve, and a secondary valve controlled discharge separate from and Wholly independent of said first mentioned dis-` charge, including a drop valve, and a fusible member normally maintaining the drop valve open, said drop valve so positioned as to function after operation of said first mentioned Valve. l

6. Means for the purpose specified, com'- prisin in combination, a bulk storage receptac e having a discharge line from the bottom thereof, a valve in said line on the exterior of the receptacle operating means.

means, comprising a fusible element anl chored at one end to and extending through saidreceptacle and coupled at theopposite free end to the valve operating means to maintain the same in position closing said valve, a second valve mounted in the discharge line Within the receptacle entirely independently of said exterior valve, and a fusible link normally maintaining the second valve open, said second valve adapted to function and close the discharge after operation of said exterior valve to open position.

7. Means for the purpose specified, comprising in combination, a bulk storage receptacle having a discharge line therefrom, al valve in said line on the exterior of the receptacle, operating means for said valve normally tending to open the same, means for maintaining said valve closed against the action of said operating means, compris ing a fusible element anchored at one end to and extending through the receptacle, and coupled at the opposlte free end to the Valve operating means to maintain the same in position closing said valve, a second valve in said discharge line on the interior of said receptacle, a pipe section in the dischar e line forming a seat for said valve, a fusib e element normally holding said interior valve off the seat therefor, and a wei ht attached to said valve and contained wit in said pipe section, said interior valve operable to close the discharge line only after operation of said exterior valve to open said Dated this sixth day of June, 1922.

VAHA SVIAN. 

